- SSP operations says committee recommends officers for posting as SHO after evaluation
ISLAMABAD: A large number of sub-inspectors stationed in eight police stations out of 21 of the capital including the most important and sensitive ones.
Compared with the number of sanctioned and present strength of the inspectors and the sub-inspectors, the favouritism and nepotism become starker. At present, the sanctioned strength of the inspectors is 163, whereas 155 (inspectors) are deputed in various formations including the Traffic Division, Special Branch, Operations Divisions, Logistics Division, Security Division, Counterterrorism Force, and CID.
On the other hand, against the total sanctioned strength of 499 sub-inspectors, 483 are present and performing duties in various formations. As the statistics amply show that there is no paucity of the inspectors in the capital police, yet the same sub-inspectors and inspectors are routed again and again and have been occupying the same seats for the past many years.
According to details, Sub-Inspector Shabbir Ahmed Tanoli is presently posted in the Secretariat Police Station, Sub-Inspector Abdul Razzaq is posted as SHO Kohsar Police Station, Sub-Inspector Ashiq Muhammad is posted as SHO Bani Gala Police Station, Sub-Inspector Habibur Rehman is posted as SHO Karachi Company Police Station, Sub-Inspector Muhammad Iqbal Gujjar is posted at the Tarnol Police Station, Sub-Inspector Alamgir Khan is posted at the Noon Police Station, Sub-Inspector Liaquat Ali is posted as SHO Khana Police Station, Sub-Inspector Gulfaraz is posted as SHO at the Sihala Police Station.
Sources in the capital police told Pakistan Today that a high-power committee is working to streamline the process of appointing, evaluating the performance of SHOs and ensure that all SHOs are appointed on merit and deliver results. Talking to Pakistan Today, SSP Operations Amin Bukhari said a pool of officers consisting of inspectors and sub-inspectors have been made and a committee comprising of two DIGs and two SSPs interview them and recommend officers for posting as SHO after evaluating and seeing their potential, reputation, experience and willingness.
“Even otherwise, there is no legal bar on posting sub-inspectors as SHO as per police rules,” he said. It is pertinent to mention here that State Minister for Interior Affairs Shehryar Afridi has categorically instructed Inspector General of Islamabad Police Jan Muhammad to ensure that those who have never held position of SHOs be deputed in all the police stations.
“He (police chief) wants to weed out the root cause of allegations of favouritism in the appointment of SHOs in the capital,” the SSP operations said. More than a month in power, the realities on ground reminds one of the idioms: old wine in new bottles.